Automatic three-way valve control for steam heating systems



May 26, 194,2 F. N. BoRsE-rT 2,283,910

AUTOMATIC THREE-WAY VALVE GQ'NTROL FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Filed NOV.27, 1940A 2 ShetS-Sheet 1 BY 1y 5., -f g v Map Fj5 2754 E-I ATTORNEY May26, 1942. F. N. BoRsETT AUTOMATIC THREE-WAY VALVE CONTROL FOR STEAMHEATING SYSTEMS Filed Nov.l 27. 1940 2 Sheets-SheetI 2 Patented May 26,1942 AUroMA'rIC .THREE-WAY vALvE CoNTnon Foa STEAM HEATING SYSTEMSFerdinand N. Eorsett, Bronx, N. Y.

Application November 27, 1940, Serial No. 367,366

8 Claims. (Cl. 137-103) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in an automatic three-way valve control for steam heatingVsystems.

The invention proposes a tank for location just above the water line Aofthe boiler of a furnace, and a novel arrangement including three valvesfor controlling the passage of the supply of water of condensation fromthe steam heatingrsystem to Said tank, and from the tank. to the watersupply of the boiler of the furnace. The invention is particular-lyintended for those installations having radiators below the water levelof the furnace, in which water of condensation may readily accumulate.

It is proposed that the system be so operated that steam pressure isdepended upon to force the water of condensation to the top of saidtank, and it is proposed to so operate the three valves that when thewater which is blown into Vthe tank reaches a certain predeterminedlevel, the Valves are automaticallyiworked to cause the `accumulatedwater to discharge into the water supply of the boiler of the furnace.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference Will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which theVarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure-Fig. 1 is a Side elevational view of a furnace and Steam heating systemequipped with a device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the tank and the associated`mechanism used in this invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryvertical taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. `4. is a sectional View of the air valve used inthe invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of one of the steam valves usedl in theinvention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modifiedconstruction.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevationalview looking in the direction of theline I-'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional View taken on theline 8-8 of Fig. 7.

The automatic three-way valve system for a steam heat system, inaccordance with this invention, includes a tank Il! for location abovethe water level of a furnace II of the system. A pipe line, I2 connectswith thetop portion of the tank I0 and is adapted to convey water ofsectional View condensation from a radiator I3 located beneaththe waterlevel line of the boiler of the furnace II. This radiator I3 is suppliedwith steam from a live steam line I4 of the boiler of the furnace II.The pipeline I2 connects with one Side of a T-shaped connection I5mounted on the top of the tank I0. f

An air valve I6 for the steam heating system connects with the top ofthe tank I2 and is controlled with a .normally open rst master valvei'I. More specically, the air valve IB is the conventional air valvegenerally found on radiators, which permits air from the radiator toescape until the radiator becomesV hot and then automatically closes toprevent the escape ofsteam. This air valve I6 is in a pipe line I8 whichconnects with the top of fthe T-shaped tting I5. The first master valveI'I is interpoSedbetv/een the air valve I6 and the tank III and is inthe pipe line I8, and operates'to shut off passage through the line I8,or permits passagel through this line. i i

A steam supply line 2l) from the main steam line I4 connects with thetop of the tank I0 and is controlled with a normally closed secondmaster valve 2I. More Specifically, the pipe line 20 connects with oneside of the T-tting I5. The valve 2l is arranged in series in the line2U. The Valve `2I controls passage of steam from the supply I4 to thetank III.

A water discharge 22 from the bottom of the tank I0 is arranged todischarge water directly above the water level of the boiler of thefurnace II to augment the water supply. This water discharge 22 iscontrolled with a normally closed third master valve 24. The valves I'I,2| and 24 are preferably superimposed, so that they may be convenientlycontrolled with an automatic mechanism hereinafter more fully described.

A detail of the valve II is shown in Fig. 4. It comprises a valve bodyI'Ia and a valve proper I'Ib which is turnable and controlled by aturnable lever 25. As illustrated in Fig. 4 the valve I'I is open. Thelever 25 may be turned through a certain angular distance to close thevalve. Fig.

5 shows a detail of the valve 2|. This Valve comprises a Valve body 2|aand a turnable valve proper 2lb. This valve proper 2|b is connected witha lever 25 which may be turned to open this valve. The valve 24 issubstantially of identical construction to the valve 2l. It is providedwith a lever 2l which may be turnedv to open this valve.

A float Sil is located within the tank Il) and is associated with meansfor closing the rst master valve I1 and opening the second and thirdmaster valves 2| and 24, respectively, when the float rises andresetting these valves to their original positions when the float falls.The float 38 is mounted on an arm 3I xedly secured on a shaft 32. Theshaft 32 extends out from one side of the tank I6. A suitable packinggland 33 surrounds the shaft 32 forming a water tight joint.

A segmental gear 34 is mounted on the extended end of the shaft 32 andmeshes with a gear 35 on a stud shaft 36 which is turnably supported onthe side of the tank I 8. This stud shaft 36 has a radial arm 31 uponwhich a weight 38 is adjustably mounted. A set screw 39 threadedlyengages through the weight 38 and abuts the radial arm 31 by which theweight may be secured in various positions along the length of the arm31. The arm 31 is limited in its pivotal motion from the positionillustrated in Fig. 3 which is located by a stationary pin 48 projectingfrom the side of the tank I6, to a position limited .by a stationary pin4I also projecting from the side of the tank I0.

When the float 36 is in its lower position, as shown in Figs. 2v and 3,the arm 31 rests against the pin 40. When the float risesthe arm 31 willpivot to a position in which it rests against the pin 4I. The shaft 36is provided with a radial arm 43 having a slot 44 which is engaged by apin 45 mounted on a rod 46. The rod 46 is vertically slidably mountedthrough bearings 41 and 48 mounted on the side of the tank I0. The lever25 which controls the valve I1 is formed with a slot 49 engaged by a pin50 mounted on the rod 46. The lever 26 which controls the valve 2l isprovided with a slot 5I engaged by a pin 52 also mounted on the rod 46.The lever 21 which controls the valve 24 is also formed with a slot 53engaged by a pin 54 mounted on the rod 46.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Normally, steam from the boiler of the furnace II passes through thesteam feed pipe I4 to the radiator I3 and continues through the pipe I2to the top portion of the tank I0 and hence along the pipe I8 to the airvalve I6 which is closed due to the temperature of the steam. When theWater of condensation accumulates in the radiator I3 the passage ofsteam through the radiator soon becomes blocked. The temperature thenfalls in the line I8 and the air valve I6 opens. The steam pressure fromthe feed I4 may now blow the water from the radiator I3 through the pipeI2 to the T-fitting I5.

From the T-fitting I5 the water of condensation will fall into andaccumulate in the tank I0. When the water level reaches a certain heightthe float 36 will start moving upwards. This motion is communicatedindirectly to the shaft 36. When the shaft 36 turns the arm 31 will turncorrespondingly and so will the arm 43. The arm 43 functions to move therod 46. When the float reaches a predetermined height the weight 38passs its dead center and the rod 31 will now rest against the pin 4I.At this time the rod 46 has moved a sufficient distance so that thelevers 25, 26 and 21 have been moved suilciently to close the valve I1and open the valves 2| and 24.

When the valve 2I opens live steam enters the tank I6. This live steamcannot pass out of the air valve I6 because the first master valve I1has been closed. Since the valve 24 opens simultaneously With the valve2I the water within the tank I0 is now free to flow into the boiler ofthe furnace II. In view of the fact that the steam pressure of theboiler is acting on the top of the Water in the tank I0 it will flowthrough the line 22 into the water supply of the boiler. When thishappens the water level falls, and the float 38 moves downwardsfollowing the water level. This causes the arm 31 and the rod 46 to movecorrespondingly. Soon the arm 31 passes its dead center and startsreturning to its initial position as shown in Fig. 3. Soon the rod 46has moved sufficiently to reopen the valve I1 and reclose the valves 2|and 24. The parts are now in their initial positions.

In Figs. 6 and '7 a modified form of the invention has been disclosedwhich distinguishes from the prior form in the provision of means fordelaying the resetting of the master valves until the float falls a,predetermined amount. According to this form of the invention there isan auxiliary float 58 located Within the tank I0 and provided with asupporting rod 59 having an elongated slot 68. This rod 59 is hookedupon the arm 3I' of the float 30. This arm 3l is provided with a pair oflugs 6I arranged on opposite sides of the rod 59 so as to limit motionof the rod to the vertical direction only. The weight 38 is so set uponthe arm 31 that the oat 36, acting alone, is not capable of moving theWeight past its dead center when the arm 31 rests against the pin 4I.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to theprevious form and like parts are indicated by like reference numerals.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: l

As the water condensation enters the tank Il] the float 58 will moveupwards until the float 58 strikes against the arm 3 I Then the risingwa ter level in the tank I0 will lift the oats 30 and 58 simultaneously.This simultaneous action will cause turning of the shaft 32 whichoperates the various mechanism in the identical fashion as previouslydescribed. The arm 31 will soon pass its dead center and engage the pin4I. At this time, the valve I1 will be closed and the valves 2l and 24will be opened and the water in the tank I0 will be flowing into theboiler of the furnace II.

As the water level falls the oat 58 will move downwards, but the float30 will remain in its raised position since it is incapable of pivotingthe arm 31 past its dead center. The water level keeps falling until thefloat 58 reaches a position in which the rod 59 hinges on the arm 3l.Then the sum of the weights of the floats 30 and 58 will be sufficientto pivot the arm 31 past its dead center. This causes turning of theshaft 32 an-d the device operates to reopen the valve I1 and close thevalves 2I and 24 in a manner identical to that previously described.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying Water to and from said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft,asegm'ental gear Amounted on the outer end of Vsaid shaft, a stud shaftrotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear'xedly mounted onsaid stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear to rotate said studshaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to cau-.sesaid rod to move therewith.

2. In a device Vof the class described having a tank and pipe" linescarrying water to and from said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, asegmental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft. a stud shaftrotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear xedly mounted onsaid stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear to rotate said studshaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to cause saidrod to move therewith, comprising an arm having one end mounted on saidstud shaft and its free end extended radially and overlying a portion ofsaid rod, and a pin extending from said rod and engaging an elongatedslot formed in the free end of said arm.

3. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying water to and from said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, asegmental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft, a

stud shaft rotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear xedlymounted on said stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear torotate said stud shaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with saidrod to cause said rod to move therewith, and means for limiting movementof said float to positions in which said valves are opened or closed.

ll. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying water to and Vfrom said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said ,W

shaft to move up and down as the level 0f said water changes to rotatesaid shaft, a segmental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft, astud shaft rotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear xedlymounted on said stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear torotate said stud shaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with saidrod to cause said rod to move therewith, and means for limiting movementof said float to positionsv in which said valves are opened or closed,comprising a rod extending radially from said stud shaft, a pin mountedon said tank and against which said rod is adapted to rest in oneposition of said ioat, anda second pin mounted on said tank and spacedfrom said rst pin and against which said rod is adapted to rest in theother position of said float. Y

5. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying water to and from said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means formoving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofksaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, aV

segmental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft, a stud shaftrotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear xedly mounted onsaid stud shaft and meshing with Said segmental gear torotate said studshaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to cause saidrod to move therewith, said float being mounted upon the free end of aradial arm projecting from the inner end of said shaft, and anadditional float mounted on said arm for supplementing the lifting andlowering force of said fir-st float.

6. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying water to and from said tank and'controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving saidYV rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, asegmental gear mountedon the outer end of said shaft, a stud shaftVrotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a'gear fixedly mountedon said stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear to rotate saidstud shaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to causesaid rod to move therewith, said float being mounted upon the free endof a radial arm projecting from the inner end of said shaft, and anadditional float mounted onA said arm for supplementing the lifting andlowering force of said first float, said mounting of said additionalfloat, comprising a rod extended from said additional iloat and havingan elongated slot through which said arm slidably extends requiring saidwater to rise or fall a certain degree before the ends of said slotstrike said arm to bring the Weight of said additional float into power.

'7. In a device of 'the class described having a tank and pipelinescarrying water to and from said tank and controlled by valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means formoving'said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a float mounted on the inner1 end of said shaft to move upand down as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, a seg`mental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft, a stud shaftrotatively mounted 0n the outside of said tank, a gear xedly mounted onsaid stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear to-rotate said studshaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to cause saidrod to move therewith, said float being mounted upon the free end of aradial arm pro jecting from the inner end of said shaft, and anadditional oat mounted on said arm for supplementing the lifting andlowering force of said rst float, said mounting of said additionalfloat,

comprising a rod extended from said additionalv float and having anelongated slot through which said arm slidably extends requiring saidwater to rise or fall a certain degree before the ends of said slotstrike said arm to bring the weight of said additional float into power,and means on said arm limiting movement of said float and rod to thevertical.

8. In a device of the class described having a tank and pipe linescarrying water to and from said tank and controlled by Valves connectedto a slidably mounted rod, means for moving said rod to open or closesaid valves in unison, comprising a shaft extended through one wall ofsaid tank, a iioat mounted on the inner end of said shaft to move up anddown as the level of said water changes to rotate said shaft, asegmental gear mounted on the outer end of said shaft, a stud shaftrotatively mounted on the outside of said tank, a gear xedly mounted onsaid stud shaft and meshing with said segmental gear to rotate said studshaft, and means connecting said stud shaft with said rod to cause saidrod to move therewith, said iioat being mounted upon the free end of aradial arm projecting from the inner end of said shaft, and anadditional iioat mounted on said arm for supplementing the lifting andlowering force of said first float, said mounting of said additionalfloat, comprising a rod extended from said additional float and havingan elongated slot through which said arm slidably extends requiring saidWater to rise or fall a certain degree before the ends of said slotstrike said arm to bring the weight of said additional float into power,and means on said arm limiting movement of said float and rod to thevertical, comprising lugs formed on said arm on opposite sides of saidrod.

FERDINAND N. BORSETT.

